Dragon’s Dogma 2 is set to introduce an even more intricate and dynamic pawn system than the last game. In an interview with IGN, the game’s director said the team was building on the foundation that made the original’s pawns such unique companions. There was already so much going on in the first game, but plenty needed improvement.
During the interview, director Hideaki Itsuno highlighted the team’s commitment to creating a world that reacts authentically to players’ actions, and the pawn system plays a crucial role in achieving this. Now, pawns will offer expanded customization options, allowing players to tailor their AI companions to their preferred playstyle and aesthetic preferences. This goes beyond the existing visual customization and delves into deeper strategic territory.
“As for people who don’t know much about the game but want to try it out because they heard it was fun, I feel like after all the effort and time the whole team has put into creating this game’s pawns, they can almost act like a friend who sits beside you to give advice after playing through the game themselves. That’s why I feel like you should be able to have plenty of fun even if you’re coming to it with that attitude, so please just rely on your pawns and learn what you need from those that your friends have made. They’ve already gone through the game and will teach you what you need to know, so you should be able to play through the game even if you’re not super committed as long as you lean on them. I hope you give it a try.”
Hideaki Itsuno
The pawns have also gotten their learning capabilities significantly enhanced. Pawns can now learn from the player’s actions and choices within the game world and draw upon the accumulated knowledge and experiences of other players’ pawns through a shared network. This creates a sense of community and collective learning, potentially leading to the emergence of specialized pawn with a wealth of tactical knowledge at their disposal.
Itsuno acknowledged the tabletop RPG inspirations behind the pawn system, likening himself to a game master prepared to respond to any player’s whim. This philosophy translates into the pawns’ own adaptability. They can now react and assist in creative ways that go beyond pre-programmed responses, potentially even surprising players with their resourcefulness and initiative.
The expanded pawn system in Dragon’s Dogma 2 sounds like what everyone wanted improved from the first game. The player’s connection to their companions is always important, but feeling like the pawns learn from encounters is a big part of it all. Luckily, it looks like things are getting better.
